In June 2025, the Erasmus+ project “Empowering Youth Workers for Community-based Social Entrepreneurship” brought together youth workers from across Europe to Yerevan, Armenia. Hosted by the Armenian State University of Economics, this initiative was more than just a training—it was a transformative journey that combined practical skills, innovative thinking, and cross-cultural collaboration. The program aimed to equip participants with the tools to identify local needs, create sustainable business models, and launch initiatives that bring measurable social impact to their communities.
For Georgia, and for the work of Civil Forum For Peace, this project came at a critical time. The country has faced ongoing economic difficulties, especially in rural and border regions where opportunities for young people are limited. Many communities rely on seasonal work or remittances from family members abroad, while local social initiatives often struggle to survive due to lack of business planning and long-term funding. Before this training, community projects often depended solely on donor support and were vulnerable to collapse once external funding ended. The need for self-sustaining, socially responsible enterprises was clear, but the knowledge and skills to build them were not always available.
The experience in Yerevan opened new perspectives. The training began with in-depth workshops on the foundations of social entrepreneurship—covering business planning, market analysis, and ways to measure social impact. These sessions showed that creating positive change does not mean abandoning financial sustainability; in fact, a well-structured business model can make a social mission stronger and more resilient. Trainers introduced tools for inclusive community engagement, ensuring that projects are developed with direct input from local stakeholders, including marginalized and vulnerable groups.
One of the most eye-opening parts of the program was visiting local Armenian social enterprises. These site visits demonstrated how even small teams could create significant change by combining creativity, local resources, and strong community ties. Participants saw businesses that addressed unemployment, promoted environmental sustainability, and preserved cultural heritage, all while generating steady income. The practical examples made it easier to see how similar models could be adapted to the Georgian context.
Networking played a major role throughout the program. Youth workers from different countries exchanged experiences, compared challenges, and explored potential collaborations. Informal evening gatherings allowed participants to share cultural traditions, discover common values, and strengthen their professional networks. This sense of solidarity among European youth workers created an environment where ideas flowed freely and partnerships began to form.
Returning to Georgia, the Civil Forum For Peace decided to launch the “Community Builders Hub,” a program designed to support young entrepreneurs in developing social businesses in underserved regions. The initiative focused on three areas: training young people in entrepreneurial skills, connecting them with local mentors, and offering small seed grants to help launch their projects. The design of the Hub was directly inspired by the methods learned in Armenia, especially the emphasis on community co-creation and sustainable revenue generation.
The first months of the program produced encouraging results. In one rural community, young participants developed a beekeeping cooperative that provided jobs for unemployed residents and promoted ecological awareness. In another, a group of school leavers started a small workshop producing eco-friendly home goods, using local materials and selling through regional markets. These enterprises not only generated income but also addressed pressing social and environmental issues.
The impact extended beyond the projects themselves. Young people involved in the Hub reported higher confidence, stronger problem-solving skills, and a renewed sense of purpose. Community members began to see youth not as passive recipients of aid, but as active leaders and change-makers. Local authorities expressed interest in supporting the program and integrating social entrepreneurship into regional development plans. The network built during the Erasmus+ training continued to grow, with international partners offering advice, joint funding applications, and opportunities for further collaboration.
The Yerevan experience proved that empowering youth workers with entrepreneurial tools creates a powerful ripple effect. One well-trained youth worker can inspire dozens of young people, who in turn develop projects that impact hundreds of lives. For Georgia, this model offers a way to strengthen local economies, reduce youth migration, and build a culture of innovation rooted in social responsibility.
Looking to the future, the Civil Forum For Peace plans to expand the Community Builders Hub, creating regional chapters and introducing specialized programs in areas such as green entrepreneurship and cultural heritage preservation. The goal is to ensure that every young person, regardless of location, has the opportunity to turn their ideas into lasting change.
This journey confirmed that when young people are given the right skills, networks, and confidence, they become the driving force behind sustainable community transformation. The seeds planted in Yerevan will continue to grow—nurtured by passion, guided by collaboration, and strengthened by the belief that social entrepreneurship can be a cornerstone of peace and progress in Georgia.